Great things to do in Florence on a Monday?

Question

I'm going on a Mediterranean cruise in the summer of '08 and one of the stops is in Florence. I was incredibly excited until I realized our one day in Florence is on a Monday when the main museums are closed. I still have a lot of time to look into this (but I'm incredibly excited now, lol). So what has everyone who has been there enjoyed seeing and doing that is going to be open for me :)

Many of the other places on the cruise are ones I have already been to such as Rome and Napoli, so I'm really looking forward to Florence the most!

Thanks for any suggestions you all have :) I'd much rather tour on my own than do something run by the cruise ship.

I am really interested in Italian Renaissance art which is why the museums being closed is such a disappointment for me. So if there are any less popular musuems (open on Mondays!) that you know of, that would be really great.

Answer 1

I don't think you'll have too much time of yr 1 day stop left to the visit of Florence. The closest sea port is Leghorn / Livorno and depending on the traffic it will take from 1,5 hour till 2 hours by bus to reach Florence. I guess you're lucky museums are closed since it would be the same impossible for you to visit the main 2 of them ( The Uffizi Gallery and Accademy Gallery with the David's statue) since mainly in summer there are ugly files (2-3 hours to enter) and just the visit of Uffizi Gallery would take 4-5 hours.
I support previous answerers suggestions to walk the city or to hop on a tourist bus making the city's tour.
Just to avoid confusions I give you some corrections to the 2nd answer. The square she means on top of the hill over Florence is called Piazzale Michelangelo. You can have a breathtaking general view of Florence from there.
The square where is the copy of the David (mostly of the tourists think that's the original...!!) is Piazza della Signoria where is also Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery.
The bridge she suggests to visit is not the Golden Bridge but
the Old Bridge (Ponte Vecchio). She's probably confused by the fact there are many jeweleries selling gold items.
After having done that I feel yr time will be over. You need to come back to Florence for at least 4-5 days to make a more accurate visit.
Anyhow if you've time or you prefer to visit museums this a list with links for yr checking of the Florence's museums open also on monday:
SAN MARCO http://www.firenzemusei.it/00_english/sanmarco/index.html
MEDICI CHAPELS
http://www.firenzemusei.it/00_english/medicee/index.html
SILVER MUSEUMS (open the 2nd and 3rd monday of month)
http://www.firenzemusei.it/00_english/argenti/index.html
BARGELLO MUSEUM
http://www.firenzemusei.it/00_english/bargello/index.html
ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM (closed monday morning)
http://www.firenzemusei.it/00_english/archeologico/index.html

I feel that's enough and enjoy yr marathon visit...!!

Answer 2

Well since you can;t see the "actual" David statue you will be pleased to know there are 2 copies around the place. One in a square (sorry forgotten the name) where the orginal stood (and there are some cool statues undercover nearby too lok at). There is another overlooking Florence on the other side of the River. If you get those red bus tours, it will take you around Florence and see it quickly including up to the top of this hill that overlooks the city (with famous views of the Duomo_. THe Duomo is amazing (from the outside mainly), there is a cool painting in the inside of the dome and you can walk up to the dome too (and I think go under the floor too..they both cost extra).
I agree that just walking around is great. THere are amazing buildings (ie yellows, browns and greens with painted detail). Golden Bridge is famous and right over the River... THe streets are very busy tho and you can find it a struggle to walk on the footpaths (which are pretty narrow anyway)...but its a lovely city to roam....have fun

Answer 3

Just walking the streets of Firenze (Florence) is better then any museum. The taste of Renaissance is everywhere!